vast intellect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vast intellect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who possesses a great deal of intelligence or knowledge. Example: "Her vast intellect allowed her to solve complex problems that others found insurmountable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

I came to respect both his vast intellect, and him as a wonderful man.

Yale University

I'm interested to know how the news of alien life – be it of vast intellect (hopefully not "intellects vast and cool and unsympathetic") or simply microbial – would be greeted on Earth, and whether this would provoke some great existential change.

The Guardian

A perceptive and concise read, detailing the wisdom of a man who has been at the political forefront for close to 50 years.... the book's question-and-answer format [is] an ideal one [Lee's] responses were mostly short, sweet and most importantly, smart.... [This book will] educate and enlighten by condensing the man's vast intellect into accessible nuggets of information.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Shardlake and the queen go back a long way, to a time when she was merely the widowed Lady Latimer and Shardlake entertained vain hopes that she might overlook his hump if he offered his hand (in the manner of all great detectives, Shardlake's vast intellect and emotional insecurity mean he doesn't have much luck with women).

The Guardian - Books

But then what would they know, without the benefit of Dawkins' vast intellect?

Vice

Many articles and blog posts have commented on his vast intellect and his large congregation and his lengthy resume.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Nietzsche argues that the forces that Greek tragedy explored ― fate, tragic flaws, capricious gods ― were too vast for intellect or achievements to overcome, so through performance, the spectator and the actors confronted them as one, almost like a religious revival.

Huffington Post

Frank will be remembered for his love and knowledge of poetry, his humor, intellect, vast network of friends, and his passion for his family.

The New York Times

10) The film climaxes with the apes collating their vast strength and intellect to perform the act that Caesar's been dreaming of for so long – scaring one specific horse a bit.

The Guardian - Film

Aliens were thus first conceived as Darwinian competitors with mankind, a scheme worked out in spooky Huxleyan detail by H.G. Wells, whose slimy, bloodsucking Martians possessed intellects "vast, and cool, and unsympathetic".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Or there are far more terrifying creatures, "intellects vast and cool and unsympathetic" as H.G. Wells described them, with grey tentacles and slobbering mouths, hammering together their metal war machines and howling with each death-flash of their Heat-Rays, "Aloo!

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "vast intellect" to describe individuals whose mental capabilities are significantly above average, especially when highlighting their capacity to understand complex subjects or solve challenging problems. This phrase is more impactful than simply stating someone is intelligent.

Common error

Avoid using "vast intellect" in situations where a simpler description of intelligence suffices. The phrase is most effective when the context warrants an emphasis on the exceptional scale of someone's mental capacity. Overusing the expression will reduce the expression impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vast intellect" functions as a descriptive noun phrase. The adjective "vast" modifies the noun "intellect", emphasizing the extensive scope and capacity of someone's intelligence. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is deemed correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

12.5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6.25%

Formal & Business

6.25%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "vast intellect" is a grammatically sound and impactful way to describe someone with exceptional mental capabilities. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While alternatives like "great intellect" or "immense intellect" exist, "vast intellect" uniquely emphasizes the broad scope and depth of intelligence. It is most appropriate in formal contexts and should be used judiciously to maintain its impact. Common contexts include news reporting and academic writing, highlighting its role in both describing and celebrating intellectual prowess.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

large intellect

Replaces "vast" with "large", a synonym indicating considerable size or extent of intellect.

immense intellect

Substitutes "vast" with "immense", suggesting an exceptionally great or extensive degree of intellect.

great intellect

Replaces "vast" with "great", denoting a high level or degree of intellect.

extensive intellect

Uses "extensive" in place of "vast" to emphasize the breadth and scope of the intellect.

profound intellect

Employs "profound" instead of "vast" to highlight the depth and insightfulness of the intellect.

remarkable intellect

Substitutes "vast" with "remarkable" to emphasize the exceptional and noteworthy quality of the intellect.

exceptional intelligence

Replaces both "vast" and "intellect" with synonyms to describe superior mental capacity.

remarkable mental capacity

It emphasizes general mental ability, rather than just focusing on intellect.

wide-ranging intellect

It emphasizes a diverse knowledge and ability base.

highly developed mind

Focuses on the mind's overall development and sophistication rather than just its intellectual capacity.

FAQs

How can I use "vast intellect" in a sentence?

You can use "vast intellect" to describe someone who possesses exceptional mental capabilities. For instance, "Her "vast intellect" allowed her to grasp the intricacies of quantum physics quickly."

What are some alternatives to "vast intellect"?

Alternatives include "great intellect", "immense intellect", or "exceptional intelligence". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "vast intellect" in informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "vast intellect" is more suited to formal or academic writing. In informal contexts, simpler terms like "very smart" or "highly intelligent" might be more appropriate.

What distinguishes "vast intellect" from "high intelligence"?

"Vast intellect" implies not only a high degree of intelligence but also a broad scope of knowledge and understanding. "High intelligence" is a more general term, while "vast intellect" emphasizes the extensive capacity and depth of one's mental abilities.